§5-207. Court appointment of guardian of minor; procedure

(a).
Notice of the time and place of hearing of a petition for the appointment of a guardian
of a minor is to be given by the petitioner in the manner prescribed by court rule
under section 1-401 to:

(1). The minor, if he is 14 or more years of age; [1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW).]

(2). The person who has had the principal care and custody of the minor during the 60
days preceding the date of the petition; and [1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW).]

(3). Any living parent of the minor. [1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW).]

[
1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW)
.]

(b).
Upon hearing, if the court finds that a qualified person seeks appointment, venue
is proper, the required notices have been given, the requirements of section 5-204
have been met, and the welfare and best interests of the minor will be served by the
requested appointment, it shall make the appointment. In other cases the court may
dismiss the proceedings, or make any other disposition of the matter that will best
serve the interest of the minor.

[
1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW)
.]

(c).
If necessary, the court may appoint a temporary guardian, with the status of an
ordinary guardian of a minor, but the authority of a temporary guardian may not last
longer than 6 months, except as provided in subsection (c-1).

Notice of hearing on the petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian must
be served as provided under subsection (a), except that the notice must be given at
least 5 days before the hearing, and notice need not be given to any person whose
address and present whereabouts are unknown and can not be ascertained by due diligence.
Upon a showing of good cause, the court may waive service of the notice of hearing
on any person, other than the minor, if the minor is at least 14 years of age.

[
2003, c. 583, §3 (AMD)
.]

(c-1).
If one of the parents of a minor is a member of the National Guard or the Reserves
of the United States Armed Forces under an order to active duty for a period of more
than 30 days, a temporary guardianship that would otherwise expire is automatically
extended until 30 days after the parent is no longer under those active duty orders
or until an order of the court so provides. This subsection applies only if the parent's
service is in support of:

(1). An operational mission for which members of the reserve components have been ordered
to active duty without their consent; or [2003, c. 583, §4 (NEW).]

(2). Forces activated during a period of war declared by Congress or a period of national
emergency declared by the President or Congress. [2003, c. 583, §4 (NEW).]

[
2003, c. 583, §4 (NEW)
.]

(d).
If, at any time in the proceeding, the court determines that the interests of the
minor are or may be inadequately represented, it may appoint an attorney to represent
the minor, giving consideration to the preference of the minor if the minor is fourteen
years of age or older.